Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for revising a first set of search results related to high-resolution satellite imagery. One embodiment of the method includes receiving a query that seeks high-resolution, remotely sensed images of geographic areas that have changed consistent with a given change signature; returning indications of the geographic areas; and presenting a first set of images that corresponds to the indications; presenting a set of feedback of options in connection with each of the set of images, wherein the feedback options include one or more of a more-like-this option and a less-like-this option; such that a second set of images can be identified based on receiving input by way of the feedback options.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 20, 2008
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2012
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Curtis Herbert Davis, Matthew Nicholas Klaric, Grant Jason Scott, Brian Christopher Claywell, Chi-Ren Shyu
Abstract: The invention provides an isolated haloalkaliphilic microorganism designated as strain sapolanicus belonging to the genus Halanaerobium, which is capable of producing hydrogen from biomass. Methods of producing biohydrogen comprising the fermentation of the microorganism with alkaline pretreated biomass are also provided. Fermentation is preferably carried out without neutralization of the pretreated biomass and at a pH of greater than or equal to about 10.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 1, 2011
Date of Patent:
April 3, 2012
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Dwayne Alexander Elias, Melanie Rose Mormile, Matthew Brett Begemann, Judy Davis Wall
Abstract: A decentralized RFID system and method provides a decentralized power control scheme for adaptively adjusting the power of a RFID reader in a network of readers communicating with an RFID tag. The transmission power of each reader in a dense network environment is controlled as a function of interference sensed from other readers in the network and a current SNR (SNR) of a backscatter signal received from the tag. If the current SNR is above a required SNR, transmission power of the reader is reduced, which results in lower interference for other RFID readers. Similarly, if the expected SNR is below the required threshold, power is increased sufficiently to ensure that the target or required SNR is achieved.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 8, 2008
Date of Patent:
March 27, 2012
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Jagannathan Sarangapani, Anil Ramachandran, Can Saygin, Kainan Cha
Abstract: Structures and methods for tissue engineering include a multicellular body including a plurality of living cells. A plurality of multicellular bodies can be arranged in a pattern and allowed to fuse to form an engineered tissue. The arrangement can include filler bodies including a biocompatible material that resists migration and ingrowth of cells from the multicellular bodies and that is resistant to adherence of cells to it. Three-dimensional constructs can be assembled by printing or otherwise stacking the multicellular bodies and filler bodies such that there is direct contact between adjoining multicellular bodies, suitably along a contact area that has a substantial length. The direct contact between the multicellular bodies promotes efficient and reliable fusion. The increased contact area between adjoining multicellular bodies also promotes efficient and reliable fusion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 24, 2009
Date of Patent:
March 27, 2012
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Abstract: A resonance scanning system and method for testing equipment for electromagnetic resonances uses a resonance detection subsystem with at least one probe to identify at least one of a resonating location, a resonating frequency and a quality factor of a resonance of the equipment and an automatic scanning subsystem to displace the probe to different testing locations of the equipment so that the resonance detection subsystem can determine if any of the different testing locations of the equipment exhibits electromagnetic resonances.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 1, 2009
Date of Patent:
March 27, 2012
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
David J. Pommerenke, Wei Huang, Peng Shao, Jiang Xiao
Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for increasing the harvested energy from a piezoelectric element exposed to environmental vibrations via a two-prong system. In a first prong, a cantilever beam is tapered and shaped so as to increase and provide an approximately uniform strain on and along the beam, thus resulting in increased voltage. In a second prong of the system and method, a voltage compensating circuit, when used with a voltage inversion circuit of the prior art, increases the harvested power by injecting current to the piezoelectric element after each voltage inversion so as to increase the voltage level.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 30, 2009
Date of Patent:
March 6, 2012
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Abstract: Perception of chitin fragments (chitooligosaccharides) is an important first step in plant defense response against fungal pathogen. LysM receptor-like kinases (LysM RLKs) are instrumental in this perception process. LysM RLKs also play a role in activating transcription of chitin-responsive genes (CRGs) in plants. Mutations in the LysM kinase receptor genes or the downstream CRGs may affect the fungal susceptibility of a plant. Mutations in LysM RLKs or transgenes carrying the same may be beneficial in imparting resistance against fungal pathogens.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 7, 2007
Date of Patent:
January 17, 2012
Assignee:
The Curators Of The University Of Missouri
Inventors:
Jinrong Wan, Gary Stacey, Minviluz Stacey, Xuecheng Zhang
Abstract: A text apparatus for measuring the degree of light-sensitivity of a subject, such as a subject with cataracts or migraines. The apparatus comprises a viewing shroud for positioning at least one eye of the subject in a testing position and an illumination source adapted for emitting visible light toward the at least one eye of the subject. The apparatus includes a visual monitor adapted for monitoring the fixation of the at least one eye during testing. A method of the invention exposes at least one eye of a subject to light and either subjects the eye to a continuous, level light intensity or increases the intensity of the light continuously over time. The intensity of the light when the subject experiences discomfort can be recorded. Pulse width modulation can modulate the intensity of the illumination source (e.g., an LED) over time.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 21, 2006
Date of Patent:
December 27, 2011
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Carl J. Bassi, Michael Howe, Wayne P. Garver
Abstract: The invention provides an automatic system based on the dynamic adaptability strategy for controlling oxygen concentration in blood of patients with fluctuating oxygen needs. The inventive system monitors patient's clinical measurement data and updates the system continuously, which provides changes in FiO2 and gas flow that are more patient specific and reduce the patient's unnecessary oxygen exposure.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 26, 2011
Publication date:
December 1, 2011
Applicant:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Abstract: A method for the identification of peptides having an affinity for the surface of fungi is provided as is a method for the identification of peptides capable of affecting the development of a fungus. Also provided are compositions comprising peptides identified using the method of the present invention. In addition, isolated polynucleotides, vectors, expression cassettes and transformed cells capable of expressing peptides identified by the method of the present invention are provided. Such polynucleotides, vectors, expression cassettes may be introduced into and confer upon plants the capability to resist fungal infection.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 5, 2010
Date of Patent:
November 29, 2011
Assignee:
The Curators Of The University Of Missouri
Inventors:
James T. English, Francis J. Schmidt, Gary Stacey, Zhiwei Fang
Abstract: A method of generating power uses a nanoenergetic material. The nanoenergetic material comprising thermite is obtained and deposited on a substrate. An igniter is placed on the nanoenergetic material. When power is desired, the nanoenergetic material is ignited. A transducer receives thermal, sonic, magnetic, optic and/or mechanical energy from combustion of the nanoenergetic material and converts it into electrical energy. Preferably, the transducer is a thermoelectric, piezoelectric or magneto device. Preferably, multiple transducers are integrated in one power generators to maximize the power from nanoenergetic thermites.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 27, 2006
Date of Patent:
November 29, 2011
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Abstract: A method for supplementing the levels of select amino acids in ruminants is provided. Amino acids are susceptible to microbial degradation in the rumen, where the relative susceptibility of an amino acid oligomer is determined primarily by its solubility in the rumen fluid. A method for designing and preparing microbial resistant amino acid oligomers based on relative solubility is also provided. Various compositions containing amino acids are described and shown to resist microbial degradation in ruminants.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 22, 2007
Date of Patent:
November 22, 2011
Assignee:
The Curators Of The University Of Missouri
Abstract: Herein a Bacillus exosporium molecule delivery (BEMD) system that provides a means to deliver molecules of interest (MOIs) to an environment is disclosed. The system results in the display of MOIs on the exosporium surface of Bacillus family members such that they can be delivered to an environment in a stable and active form. In addition, methods of making and using the system are described.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 18, 2011
Publication date:
November 17, 2011
Applicant:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
George C. Stewart, Brian Matthew Thompson
Abstract: The invention concerns high sensitivity light scattering detection and its application to evaporative light scattering detection in liquid chromatography. The exemplary embodiment includes a detection cell to accept particles suspended in a gas stream and permit a polarized light beam to pass through a trajectory of the particles and gas stream. A sample light detector is disposed to detect light scattered in the detection cell. A light trap accepts the polarized beam after it passes through the detection cell. The light trap includes an elongated housing through which the polarized beam passes, and light absorptive material within the elongated housing. An absorptive filter is aligned such that the angle of incidence of the light beam upon the filter approximates Brewster's angle and the electric field vector of the beam is aligned with the plane of incidence between the beam and the filter. Other embodiments of the invention provide increased light collection.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 1, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 18, 2011
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Abstract: The invention provides an isolated haloalkaliphilic microorganism designated as strain sapolanicus belonging to the genus Halanaerobium, which is capable of producing hydrogen from biomass. Methods of producing biohydrogen comprising the fermentation of the microorganism with alkaline pretreated biomass are also provided. Fermentation is preferably carried out without neutralization of the pretreated biomass and at a pH of greater than or equal to about 10.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 10, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 11, 2011
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Dwayne Alexander Elias, Melanie Rose Mormile, Matthew Brett Begemann, Judy Davis Wall
Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules, and methods of their use, which have a specific structure including a double helical domain and a G-quadruplex domain physically connected by a linker domain which may be nucleosidic or non-nucleosidic. These aptamers demonstrate potent inhibition of phylogenetically diverse primate lentiviral reverse transcriptases, which effect is largely independent of aptamer sequence provided that the aptamer has the specified structure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 22, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 4, 2011
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Daniel Michalowski, Donald H. Burke-Aguero
Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods for evaluating fertility in humans and animals. The invention may also be used to identify reproductive cancers such as testicular cancer. In various embodiments of the invention, an Sptrx-3 enzyme is used as a fertility marker. Sptrx-3 may be detected in accordance with the invention in vitro or in vivo.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 14, 2010
Date of Patent:
September 20, 2011
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Peter Sutovsky, Antonio Miranda-Vizuete
Abstract: A reactive-separation process converts glycerin into lower alcohols, having boiling points less than 200° C., at high yields. Conversion of natural glycerin to propylene glycol through an acetol intermediate is achieved at temperatures from 150° to 250° C. at pressures from 1 and 25 bar. The preferred applications of the propylene glycol are as an antifreeze, deicing compound, or anti-icing compound. The preferred catalyst for this process in a copper-chromium.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 28, 2006
Date of Patent:
September 13, 2011
Assignees:
The Curators Of the University Of Missouri, Renewable Alternatives LLC
Inventors:
Galen J. Suppes, William Rusty Sutterlin
Abstract: An example method for detecting an analyte in a sample of a bodily fluid comprises the steps of exposing the bodily fluid sample to electromagnetic energy to cause a thermoelastic expansion in the analyte, and detecting a photoacoustic signal in the sample that results from the thermoelastic expansion.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 18, 2011
Publication date:
September 8, 2011
Applicant:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
John A. Viator, Paul S. Dale, Ryan M. Weight, Peter Sutovsky
Abstract: The present invention provides a practical, non-invasive, and efficient method for cryopreservation of an in-vitro-produced porcine embryo. The inventive method treats the NP (such as IVF- or NT-derived) embryo at the one-cell or cleavage stage prior to compaction with high osmolality followed by high speed centrifugation. The high osmolality treatment enlarges the periviteline space, and with centrifugation, enables the separation of the lipids from the cytoplasm. The lipid-separated embryos after high osmolality treatment have been successfully cryopreserved and later recovered and transferred to produce live offspring.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 28, 2009
Publication date:
September 1, 2011
Applicant:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Randall S. Prather, Rongfeng Li, Clifton N. Murphy, Lee Spate